arco

Arco appears in music for string instruments after a pizzicato passage, telling the player to resume using the bow. Since bowing is the default technique for violin, viola, cello, and double bass, arco is only needed when the music has previously switched to plucking. The transition between pizzicato and arco requires a quick physical adjustment — the player must reposition the bow in their hand and return to a bowing grip. Composers account for this by placing the arco marking slightly before the passage begins, giving the performer time to prepare.